Roman Empire - All About Turkey Home > History > Roman Empire Roman Empire in Asia Minor The Roman Empire, also known as Res Publica Romana or Imperium Romanum or Senatus Populusque Romanus (SPQR), was one of the most important civilizations of the world history. The Roman Empire succeeded the 500 year old Roman Republic (510 BC � 1st century BC) and ruled a large territory between 27 BC � 1453 AD (approximately 5,9 million square kilometers, or 2,3 million square miles). The Roman Empire was divided in the 4th century AD into East and West. The Western Roman Empire fell apart in the 5th century AD. The Eastern Roman Empire, known as Byzantine Empire after emperor Constantine , collapsed with the conquest of Constantinople (modern Istanbul ) by the Ottomans in the 15th century AD. The Romans knew the importance of Asia Minor because it formed a natural land-bridge between East and West in terms of trade routes , culture , agriculture and military. After Alexander the Great and many other small Anatolian kingdoms, Romans captured Asia Minor after the 2nd century BC and ruled it for many centuries.

They first set their foot in Anatolia in 190 BC after defeating King Antiochus III of Seleucia in Magnesia . Then after the death of Attalos III of Pergamon Empire in 133 BC, they established the province of Asia Minor with Ephesus as its capital. During the Pax Romana period (Roman Peace), trade and culture was increased in Asia Minor . Many ancient cities flourished and became important commercial and cultural centers in this part of the world. Roman emperors such as Augustus, Hadrian, Trajan, etc. they all traveled here and helped to the development of the province. Great Roman cities were built in Anatolia during the Roman period; Ephesus , Aphrodisias , Perge and Aspendos were some of the most important of the Roman cities in Asia Minor , amongst hundreds of others. Excellent Roman road network connected these cities with the rest of the Empire, many colossal temples and public works (libraries, fountains, suege systems etc) were built by the architects. Also, a new religion spread in Anatolia during the reign of the Roman Empire; the Christianity .

Early Christians, escaping from the Roman persecutions, settled in Antioch (modern Hatay ), Iconium (modern Konya ), Ephesus , Cappadocia and so on. Saint Paul made his journeys in Asia Minor in order to spread the word, finally becoming the official religion of the Eastern Roman Empire. At its zenith, the Roman Empire included these today's countries and territories: most of Europe (England, Wales, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Belgium, Gibraltar, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine), coastal northern Africa (Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt), the Balkans (Albania, Greece, Hungary, Bosnia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Turkey ), the Mediterranean Sea , the Black Sea , Asia Minor , and some parts of Mesopotamia and the Middle East (Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Israel). All About Turkey © Burak Sansal 1996–2016, a certified professional tour guide in Turkey. Contact Burak at info@allaboutturkey.com for all kinds of regular and/or private travel services throughout the country.

Asia Minor Population Asia Minor The district of Asia Minor, or Anatolia of the Greek World, is among the first cradles of human civilization. Some of the earliest Neolithic settlements in the Middle East have been found in Asia Minor. Early in its history, it was home to one of the most advanced and powerful civilizations prior to the Bronze Age. The Hittites ruled the region from approximately 1900 to 1200 BC. Toward the end of this period, Asia Minor was swept by the Phyrgians and the Hittite Empire was destroyed. The city of Troy, legendary in Greek epics and mythology, likely fell in this time period. The semi-mythical, semi-historical King Croesus ruled from the throne of Lydia in the mid 6th century BC. He brought the Greek colonies of the region under his control, but was later removed from power by the Persian King Cyrus. In the period between this Persian take-over and the conquests of Alexander the Great, Asia Minor was a battleground for Greek and Persian dominance. Legendary names like Darius, Miltiades and Xerxes all played major roles in the shaping of Asia Minor as it passed back and forth from Greek to Persian rule.

Alexander the Great launched his great expedition to the east in 334 BC and quickly established Macedonian rule in Asia Minor. His campaigns brought the entire Middle East under his rule, but his successes were cut short by illness. Within 10 years of the beginning of his conquests, he died of fever, and the lack of heirs broke his fledgling empire into several pieces. The eastern section of Asia Minor's governing fell to Seleucus and his Seleucid Dynasty, which would remain intact until the Romans interfered some 2 centuries later. Migrating Celtic tribes settling the coastal regions and wars with the Parthians challenged the rule of these Syrian Kings, but it was their own aggressiveness which brought about their undoing. In the west, the Kingdom of Pergamum was established in the early 3rd century BC by Philetairos. Later Kings, Eumanes and Attales, established relationships with the expanding Roman Republic and defended the territory from the Seleucids. In 196 BC, attempting to expand his own empire, the Seleucid King Antiochus III moved through Asia Minor and crossed the Hellespont planning to conquer Thrace.

Rome was occupied and expanding into Macedonia, and the Greeks of Achaea, fearful of conquest, welcomed Syrian interference. Other neighbors and enemies of the Seleucids, such as the Ptolemies of Egypt and the Kingdom of Pergamum pleaded with Rome to stop the invasion and Rome, using its tried and true method of conquering when asked for help, was all too happy to oblige. Ignoring the advice to invade Italy from Carthaginian ally Hannibal, who had recently been utterly defeated, Antiochus pressed into Achaean territories. The Romans, under Manius Glabrio crushed his army in 191 BC at the historic battle site of Thermopylae. The Syrians were forced to abandon Greece and returned to Asia Minor in an attempt to spread their control of that area. The following year, Roman ally, King Eumenes II of Pergamum, found himself under siege and called for the Romans to help. The Romans under Lucius Cornelius Scipio, and the famed Publius Scipio Africanus had already crossed into Asia, for the first time, and moved against Antiochus.

In 190 BC, the battle was joined at Magnesia and the Syrians were routed once again. The ancients paint a ridiculously overwhelming picture of the victory with Antiochus' losses at 50,000 infantry, 3,000 cavalry, 15 elephants and 1,400 captured. Conversely, Roman losses were said to be only 300 infantry and 49 cavalry. Regardless of biased accuracy, the Battle of Magnesia decimated the plans of Antiochus and within 2 years, 188 BC, the entire territory of Asia Minor would be surrendered to Rome and placed under the control of Pergamum. Over the course of the next 50 years, Rome's bond with Pergamum grew stronger. In 133 BC, King Attalus III, having no heirs to succeed him, willed his kingdom to Rome, opening Asia Minor to the Roman control. The city, however, remained an independent in many regards, but gradual annexation of the neighboring territories caused fear among the inhabitants and would lead to eventual revolt.

Led by Mithradates VI of Pontus, the Pergamenes joined him against Rome in a final effort for independence. He ravaged Roman properties and slaughtered colonists throughout the region. He also moved into Greece with visions of re-establishing an Alexandrian Empire while Rome was pre-occupied with internal fighting between Gaius Marius and Lucius Cornelius Sulla. Rome, however, was never too pre-occupied with internal rivals to extend her dominance over foreign foes. Between 88 and 84 BC, Sulla defeated Mithradates in the first Mithraditic war, followed by Lucullus in 83 BC. By 74 BC, unwilling to accept defeat, Mithradates was back at war with Rome, and this time it was Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus who led the legions. In 63 BC, Pompey finalized the defeat of Pontus incorporating or reestablishing control of Asia Minor, Syria, Bythnia et Pontus, Cilicia, Galatia and Cappadocia, Lycia et Pamphylia and the vassal state of Armenia, into the ever growing Roman Empire.

Asia Minor was now a permanent province of Rome and would remain so long after the fall of the west. With the reign of Augustus the "Pax Romana" was never more evident than it was in this region. The new Roman province of Asia Minor was a land of prosperity and highly defined culture. Already heavily Hellenized in the Greek custom, with Persian artistic influence, Roman civilization in the east thrived and culminated in Asia. Fantastic building projects spread throughout cities like Pergamum and Ephesus and today Western Turkey is home to some of the best preserved and remarkable Roman ruins. The Acropolis of Pergamum, modeled after that in Athens, the Altar of Zeus, the theatre of Pergamum and the Palace of Ephesus are just a few examples of Roman and Greek combined achievement. Asia Minor, too, was home to a magnificent library rivaling even that of Alexandria. ...more information on Asia Minor! Asia Minor - Ancient History Encyclopedia Asia Minor by Joshua J. Mark published on 02 September 2009 Asia Minor is a geographic region in the south-western part of Asia comprising most of what is present-day Turkey .

The earliest reference to the region comes from tablets of the Akkadian Dynasty (2334-2083 BCE) where it is known as “The Land of the Hatti ” and was inhabited by the Hittites . The Hittites themselves referred to the land as "Assuwa" (or, earlier, Aswiya) which actually only designated the area around the delta of the river Cayster in Lydia but came to be applied to the entire region. Assuwa is considered the Bronze Age origin for the name `Asia' as the Romans later designated the area. It was called, by the Greeks, “ Anatolia ” (literally, 'place of the rising sun’, for those lands to the east of Greece ). The name 'Asia Minor’ (from the Greek `Mikra Asia' - Little Asia) was first coined by the Christian historian Orosius (c. 375-418 CE) in his work Seven Books of History Against the Pagans in 400 CE to differentiate the main of Asia from that region which had been evangelized by the Apostle Paul (which included sites known from Paul’s Epistles in the Bible such as Ephesus and Galicia).

The Byzantine Empire of the 9th century CE referred to the region as "East Thema" which meant, simply, Eastern Administrative Division, and later sailors called it "The Levant " which meant `the rising' or `to rise' referring to how the land rose up out on the horizon of the sea. In the ancient world, Asia Minor was the seat of the kingdoms and cities of Thrace, Bythinia, Paphlagonia, Aeloia, Phrygia , Galicia, Pontus, Armenia, Urartu, Assyria , Cilicia , Pamphylia, Lycia, Pisidia, Lycanoia, Caria, Mysia, Ionia , Lydia and, most famously, Troy . Remove Ads Advertisement The accomplishments of the people of Asia Minor are vast and comprise a catalogue of some of the most famous people, places, and events in ancient history. The accomplishments and advancements of the people of Asia Minor are vast and comprise a catalogue of some of the most famous people, places, and events in ancient history.

According to the historian Philo of Byzantium ( writing in 225 BCE) and later writers, Asia Minor was the site of two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus (in the region of Ionia) and the Tomb of Mauslos at Halicarnassus (also known as The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, in Caria). In the city of Miletus, in Ionia, the first western philosopher Thales, and his followers Anaximander and Anaximenes , sought the First Cause of existence, the matter which gave birth to all things, and initiated scientific inquiry and method. Herodotus , the `Father of History' was born at Halicarnassus. The great philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras was born on the island of Samos and Heraclitus, another important philosopher, at Ephesus, where he lived and wrote. Cilicia included the city of Tarsus where the Apostle Paul was born, a region known for its expertise in tent making, which was Paul’s vocation.

Lydia was the kingdom of the great King Croesus who defied the Persian Empire under Cyrus and claimed to be the happiest man in the world until his defeat and capture by the Persians. Lydia was also the site where, in Greek mythology , the Titan called Asia lived and, earlier, where the great mother goddess Potnia Aswiya (Mistress of Assuwa) was worshipped (who became Artemis and whose great temple was dedicated in the capital of Lydia, at Ephesus). Phrygia was the mythological birthplace of Rhea, the Greek Mother of the Gods and the City of Troy was made famous in Homer ’s 8th century BCE works the Illiad and the Odyssey. The region of Asia Minor is regarded as the birthplace of coinage and the first to use coined money in trade; which of the kingdoms were the first to do this, however, is much disputed. Between 1250 and 1200 BCE the Sea People 's invaded from the south, making incursions into Greece, harassing Egypt , and finally driving the Hittites from the region of Assuwa.

The Sea Peoples did not remain to colonize the area, however (at least not to any important degree) and eventually moved on to settle, in part, to the south in Canaan . Greek colonists, mainly from Athens and surrounding Attica, settled the coastline of Asia Minor from the Mediterranean up to the Black Sea. It was these Ionian colonies which, supported and funded by Athens and Eretria, rose in revolt when the area came under Persian control, provoking the wrath of the Persian king Darius I and the first invasion of Greece in 490 BCE which was repelled at the Battle of Marathon . Maps of Pauls missionary journeys Map 13. Some of the Many Centres of Jewish Population Outside Israel - the "Dispersion" or "Diaspora" THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEYS Map 14. The Earliest Missionary Journeys - Philip the Evangelist Taken from Acts 8:1b-40 - On that very day (the death of Stephen) a great storm of persecution burst upon the Church in Jerusalem [1]. All Church members except the apostles were scattered over the countryside of Judea [2] and Samaria [3].

While reverent men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him, Saul (later the apostle Paul) harassed the Church bitterly. ..... Those who were dispersed by this action went throughout the country, preaching the good news of the message as they went. Philip (the "deacon" and Evangelist), for instance, went down to the city of Samaria [4] and preached Christ to the people there. (Philip continues preaching in Samaria; the Apostles Peter and John join him there before returning to Jerusalem; Philip is then directed to another task ....) But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Get up and go south down the road which runs from Jerusalem to Gaza [5], out in the desert." Philip arose and began his journey. At this very moment an Ethiopian eunuch, a minister and in fact the treasurer to Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, was on his way home after coming to Jerusalem to worship. He was sitting in his carriage reading the prophet Isaiah.

(Philip explains a prophecy of Isaiah, preaches the Gospel of Jesus to him, and at the eunuch's request baptises him ....) When they came up out of the water the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away suddenly and the eunuch saw no more of him, but proceeded on his journey with a heart full of joy. Philip found himself at Azotus [6] and as he passed through the countryside he went on telling the good news in all the cities until he came to Caesarea [7] (where we meet him 25 years later during a visit by Paul). Map 15. The Conversion and Earliest Journeys of Saul (Paul) of Tarsus c AD34-45 Taken from Acts 9:1-30 - But Saul (of Tarsus [1]), still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the High Priest (in Jerusalem [2]) and begged him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus [3], so that if he should find there any followers of the Way (of Jesus Christ), whether men or women, he could bring them back to Jerusalem as prisoners ..... Damascus - Capital of modern Syria.

"The Pearl of the East", an ancient and important city of Syria, standing at over 2,000 feet in a large oasis. One of the city-states of The Decapolis, and a great centre of trade. Tarsus - Capital of Cilicia in Asia Minor, and Paul's home. A Greek-speaking, Roman province in south-eastern Asia Minor, an important city and major centre of learning. Tarsus was on the highway linking Syrian Antioch and the rest of the Middle East, with the provinces of Galatia and Asia to the west. On the road to Damascus Jesus appears in a vision to Saul who is blinded, and directs him to continue his journey to Damascus where he is healed and baptised. According to Paul's own account in his Letter to the Galatians 1:17, he then went away to Arabia [4], before returning to Damascus [5] In the Acts account, Paul immediately starts proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues of Damascus, before being forced to escape to Jerusalem (Acts continues) When Saul reached Jerusalem [6], he tried to join the disciples. But they were all afraid of him, finding it impossible to believe that he was a disciple.

Barnabas, however, took him by the hand and introduced him to the apostles, and explained to them how he had seen the Lord on his journey, and how the Lord had spoken to him. He further explained how Saul had spoken in Damascus with the utmost boldness in the name of Jesus. After that Saul joined with them in all their activities in Jerusalem, preaching fearlessly in the name of the Lord. He used to talk and argue with the Greek-speaking Jews, but they made several attempts on his life. When the brothers realised this they took him down to Caesarea [7] and sent him off to Tarsus [8] (.... after which he preaches in Cilicia [9] and Syria [9], Galatians 1:21. Sometime later still, Paul is brought from Tarsus by Barnabas to work in Syrian Antioch [10], Acts 11:25 ). Map 16. The Earliest Missionary Journeys - the Apostle Peter Taken from Acts 9:31-10:48 - The whole Church throughout Judea [1], Galilee [2] and Samaria [3] now enjoyed a period of peace.

...... Now it happened that Peter, in the course of travelling (from Jerusalem [4]) about among them all, came to God's people living at Lydda [5]. There he found a man called Aeneas who had been bed-ridden for eight years through paralysis. Peter said to him "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and make your bed." He got to his feet at once. And all those who lived in Lydda and (the Plain of) Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. Then there was a woman in Joppa [6] (who is also healed). .... There was a man in Caesarea [7] by the name of Cornelius, a (Gentile) centurion in what was called the Italian Regiment. He was a deeply religious man who reverenced God, as did all his household. He made many charitable gifts to the people and was a real man of prayer. (He is told by an angel to send for Peter, who still in Joppa receives a vision showing that Christ is for all men - Jew and Gentile.

Peter welcomes Cornelius' messengers ...) On the next day he got up and set out with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa, arriving at Caesarea on the day after that. (Peter teaches Cornelius, his family and friends about Jesus, they receive the Holy Spirit, and he baptises them. Peter later visits Jerusalem [8] where he explains his reasons for teaching and baptising Gemtiles) * * * * * Apart from his journeys with Jesus, and the visit with the apostle John to Samaria after the work of Philip the Evangelist, Peter can be linked to three other locations: (1) According to Galatians 2:11, he visited Syrian Antioch; (2) He may have visited Corinth according to 1 Corinthians 1:12 as he was certainly known there; (3) Traditionally he lived in Rome, and was martyred there in c AD64 or 67 Map 17.

The Church in Syrian Antioch Grows and Gains Gentile Converts Taken from Acts 11:19-30 - Now those who had been dispersed by the persecution which arose over Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and (Syrian) Antioch, giving the message as they went to Jews only. However, among their number were natives of Cyprus [1] and Cyrene [2], and these men, on their arrival at (Syrian) Antioch [3], proclaimed their message to the (Gentile) Greeks as well, telling them the good news of the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. News of these things came to the ears of the Church in Jerusalem [4] and they sent Barnabas to (Syrian) Antioch [5]. Syrian Antioch - present day Antakya in southern Turkey. This Antioch was known as "Queen of the East", capital of the province of Syria, and the third largest city in the Roman Empire after Rome and Alexandria.

With a population of over half a million people, it was located on the River Orontes, and a junction of trade routes between East and West. It should not to be confused with Pisidian Antioch, a Phrygian town in the Roman province of Galatia - .... Then Barnabas went to Tarsus [6] to find Saul (Paul). When he found him he brought him up to Antioch [7]. Then for a whole year they met together with the Church and taught a large crowd. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first given the name of "Christians". During this period some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them by the name of Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there was to be a great famine throughout the world. (This actually happened in the days of Claudius). The disciples determined to send relief to the brothers in Judea, each contributing as he was able. This they did, sending their contribution to the elders there (in Jerusalem [8]) personally through Barnabas and Saul (who later return to Syrian Antioch [9]).

The Letter of James is generally believed to have been the first Letter of the New Testament to be written, probably some time before the Council at Jerusalem (see Map following) PAUL'S MISSIONARY JOURNEYS and LETTERS Map 18. Paul's First Missionary Journey, with Barnabas to Cyprus and Asia Minor c AD46-48 and Its Sequel, the Council at Jerusalem c AD49 Taken from Acts 13:4-14:28 - So these two (Barnabas and Paul) .... went down (from Syrian Antioch [1]) to Seleucia [2] and from there sailed off to Cyprus. On their arrival at Salamis [3] they began to proclaim God's message in the Jewish synagogues, having John (Mark) as their assistant. As they made their way through the island as far as Paphos [4] they came across a man named Bar-Jesus, a Jew who was both a false prophet and a magician. This man was attached to Sergius Paulus, the proconsul (or Roman governor of the island province of Cyprus), who was himself a man of intelligence.

(Barnabas and Paul are summoned before Sergius, clash with Bar-Jesus, and Sergius Paulus becomes a believer.) (Barnabas and Paul then sail to Asia Minor and continue on to Galatia) Galatia - A large Roman province in Asia Minor, extending almost from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean through the mountains and plains of modern central Turkey. Settled by Gauls from central Asia in the 3rd century BC, Galatia included the Phrygian town of Pisidian Antioch; not to be confused with Syrian Antioch Then Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and went to Perga [5] in Pamphylia. There John (Mark) left them and turned back to Jerusalem, but they continued their journey through Perga to the Antioch in Pisidia [6]. They went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day and took their seats. (On this occasion the Gospel of Jesus is well received. A week later it is rejected and Paul and Barnabas are expelled from the district ...) ..... and went on to Iconium [7]. And the disciples continued to be full of joy and the Holy Spirit.

Much the same thing happened at Iconium. ..... But when a hostile movement arose from both Gentiles and Jews in collaboration with the authorities to insult and stone them, they got to know about it, fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra [8] and Derbe [9], and the surrounding countryside - and from there they continued to proclaim the Gospel. (In Lystra, they heal a crippled man and are nearly worshipped as gods) Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and after turning the minds of the people against Paul they stoned him and dragged him out of the city thinking he was dead. But while the disciples were gathered in a circle round him, Paul got up and walked back to the city. And the very next day he went out with Barnabas to Derbe, and when they had preached the Gospel to that city and made many disciples, they turned back to Lystra [10], Iconium [11] and Antioch [12]. ...... They then crossed Pisidia and arrived in Pamphylia. They proclaimed their message in Perga [13] and then went down to Attalia [14].

From there they sailed back to Antioch (in Syria) [15] .... When they arrived there they called the Church together and reported to them how greatly God had worked with them and how he had opened the door of faith for the Gentiles. And here at Antioch they spent a considerable time with the disciples. Map 19. Paul's Second Missionary Journey, with Silas returning to Asia Minor and on into Europe c AD49-52 Taken from Acts 15:40-18:23a - ..... Paul chose Silas and set out on his journey (from Syrian Antioch [1]) ..... He travelled through Syria [2] and Cilicia [3] and strengthened the churches. He also went to Derbe [4] and Lystra [5]. At Lystra there was a disciple by the name of Timothy..... (who) was held in high regard by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium, and Paul wanted to take him on as his companion. ..... As they went on their way through the cities they passed on to them for their observance the decisions which had been reached by the apostles and elders in (the Council at) Jerusalem. ...

They made their way through Phyrgia [6] and Galatia [7], but the Holy Spirit prevented them from speaking God's message in Asia. When they came to Mysia [8] they tried to enter Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them. So they passed by Mysia and came down to Troas [9], where one night Paul had a vision of a Macedonian man standing and appealing to him in the words: "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" .... So we set sail from Troas and ran a straight course to (the island of) Samothrace [10], and on the following day to Neapolis [11]. From there we went to Philippi [12], a Roman garrison-town and the chief city in that part of Macedonia. We spent some days in Philippi .... Philippi - The ruins of Philippi are near modern Kavalla in northern Greece. It was then a city of Macedonia founded by Philip, the father of Alexander the Great.

A Roman colony and military centre, governed directly from Rome, Philippi was situated on the Via Egnatian, the highway running east and west linking Rome to Byzantium (Istanbul): (Here Paul and Silas, Timothy and sometimes Luke bring the Gospel to Lydia from Thyatira, are in conflict over a girl with a spirit of clairvoyance, are beaten and imprisoned, survive a destructive earthquake and convert their gaoler. The magistrates release them, but on learning that Paul is a Roman citizen, apologize to them and .....) after taking them outside the prison, requested them to leave the city (of Philippi) ..... Next day they journeyed through Amphipolis [13] and Apollonia [14] and arrived at Thessalonica [15]. Here there was a synagogue of the Jews which Paul entered, following his usual custom. Thessalonica - Modern Salonika or Thessalonika. A free city, capital of the Roman province of Macedonia in northern Greece.

Thessalonica was a major port, and like Philippi, located on the east-west Egnatian highway, and thus an important centre of trade by land and by sea: (The teaching of Paul and Silas converts a large number of the people, but also infuriates many Jews. The city is in uproar .....) Without delay the brothers despatched Paul and Silas off to Beroea (or Berea) [16] that night. On their arrival there they went to the Jewish synagogue. The Jews proved more generous-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they accepted the message most eagerly ...... But when the Jews at Thessalonica found out that God's message had been proclaimed by Paul at Beroea as well, they came there too to cause trouble and spread alarm among the people. The brothers at Beroea then sent Paul off at once to make his way to the sea-coast (near Beroea) [16], but Silas and Timothy remained there. The men who accompanied Paul took him as far as Athens [17] and returned with instructions for Silas and Timothy (still in Berea) to rejoin Paul as soon as possible.

Paul had some days to wait at Athens for Silas and Timothy to arrive (and while there, addresses some of the many philosophers of Athens, most of whom reject his teaching ...) Before long Paul left Athens and went on to Corinth [18] where he found a Jew called Aquila, a native of Pontus. This man had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because (the emperor) Claudius had issued a decree that all Jews should leave Rome. .... They all worked together, for their trade was tent-making. Every Sabbath Paul used to speak in the synagogue trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks. By the time Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia Paul was completely absorbed in preaching the message, showing the Jews as clearly as he could that Jesus is Christ. However, when they turned against him and abused him he shook his garments at them, and said, "Your blood be on your heads! From now on I go with a perfectly clear conscience to the Gentiles." Corinth - The original Corinth is near modern Corinth in southern Greece. An ancient Greek city, and chief town of the Roman province of Achaia, it was at this time governed by proconsul Gallio.

Located near the narrow strip of land separating the Adriatic from the Aegean Seas, and through which ran the north-south highway linking the rest of Greece with the southern Peloponnesus, Corinth was a vital centre of commerce. A cosmopolitan city with the temple of Aphrodite - goddess of love and fertility - and with two nearby ports including Cenchrea, Corinth was well known for its sexual immorality - Then he left them and went to the house of a man called Titius Justus, a man who reverenced God and whose house was next door to the synagogue. .... Paul settled down there (in Corinth) for eighteen months (his second longest recorded stay in a city during his three Missionary Journeys) and taught them God's message. Then, while Gallio was governor of Achaia the Jews banded together to attack Paul .... (but Gallio) flatly refuse(s) to be judge in these matters. ..... Paul stayed for some time (in Corinth) after this incident ........ and then (Paul) took leave of the brothers and sailed for Syria, taking Priscilla and Aquila with him.

At Cenchrea [19] he had his hair cut short, for he had taken a solemn vow. They all arrived at Ephesus [20] and there Paul left Aquila and Priscilla, but he himself went into the synagogue and debated with the Jews. When they asked him to stay longer he refused, bidding them farewell with the words, "If if is God's will I will come back to you again" (which he does on his Third Missionary Journey). Then he set sail from Ephesus and went down to Caesarea [21]. Here he disembarked and after paying his respects to the Church in Jerusalem [22], he went down to Antioch [23]. He spent some time there before he left (on his Third Journey) ...... Map 20. Paul Writes his Two Letters to the Thessalonians (during his Second Journey) Map 21.

Paul's Third Missionary Journey, returning to Asia Minor and Greece c AD53-58 Taken from Acts 18:23b-20:3a - (After spending some time in Syrian Antioch [1], Paul starts on his Third Missionary Journey, and ....) proceeded to visit systematically throughout Galatia [2] and Phyrgia [3] putting new heart into all the disciples as he went. Now a Jew called Apollos, a native of Alexandria and a gifted speaker, well-versed in the scriptures, arrived at Ephesus. .... This man began to speak with great boldness in the synagogue. but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately. Then as he wanted to cross into Achaia, the brothers gave him every encouragement and wrote a letter to the disciples there, asking them to make him welcome. ..... Ephesus - South of modern Izmir or Smyrna in Western Turkey, and at that time capital of the Roman province of Asia.

One of the three greatest cities of the eastern Mediterranean with a population of perhaps 250,000 - the other two being Alexandria in Egypt and Syrian Antioch, Ephesus was an important port with good access to the interior of Asia Minor. As a centre for the worship of Artemis or Diana - the Asian goddess of fertility, her temple was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The great theatre could hold 25,000 people: While Apollos was in Corinth Paul journeyed through the upper parts of the country (the high inland plateau of Asia Minor) and arrived at Ephesus [4]. There he discovered some disciples (... who he baptises in the Holy Spirit), Then Paul made his way into the synagogue there (in Ephesus) and for three months he spoke with the utmost confidence .... But when some of them hardened in their attitude towards the message and refused to believe it ..... Paul left them, and withdrew his disciples, and held daily discussions in the lecture-hall of Tyrannus. He continued this practice for two years (...

Paul's longest recorded stay in any one location during his three Missionary Journeys), so that all who lived in Asia (not just Ephesus, but the surrounding country), both Greeks and Jews, could hear the Lord's message. (Paul continues to preach and also to heal, and with such success that a number who previously practised magic publicly burn their highly-prized books) (Towards the end of his 3 year stay in Ephesus, Paul probably wrote his First Letter to the church in Corinth) After these events Paul set his heart on going to Jerusalem by way of Macedonia and Achaia, remarking, "After I have been there I must see Rome as well." . Then he despatched to Macedonia (the province that included the cities of Philippi and Thessalonica) two of his assistants, Timothy and Erastus, while he himself stayed for a while in Asia. (Paul is now publicly attacked by the many craftsmen whose livelihood depends on the worship of the goddess Diana and a near-riot ensues) ...... After this disturbance had died down, Paul sent for the disciples and after speaking encouragingly said good-bye to them, and went on his way to Macedonia [5].

As he made his way through these districts (... of Macedonia, Paul probably wrote his Second Letter to the Corinthians after Titus' return from Corinth) .... he spoke many heartening words to the people and then went on to Greece [6] (including Corinth), where he stayed for three months. (During his stay in Corinth, Paul is believed to have written his Letter to the church in Rome. According to this Letter, either on his way from Macedonia or during his three months stay in Greece, Paul led or organised a mission to Illyricum or Dalmatia - the area of the old Yugoslavia.) PAUL'S THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY CONCLUDED; THE RETURN TO JERUSALEM c AD58 Taken from Acts 20:3b-12 - 21:15 - Then (after staying in Greece [6] ...) when he (Paul) was on the point of setting sail for Syria the Jews made a further plot against him and he decided to make his way back (by land) through Macedonia [7]. His companions on the journey were Sopater a Beroean ... two Thessalonians ... Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and two Asians.....

This party proceeded to Troas to await us there while we sailed from Philippi [8] after the days of unleavened bread. and joined them five days later at Troas [9], where we spent a week. (At Troas, Paul's lengthy teaching almost leads to the death of a young man Eutychus who goes to asleep and falls out of window!) Meanwhile we had gone aboard the ship and sailed on ahead for Assos, intending to pick up Paul there ..... since he himself had planned to go overland. When he met us on our arrival at Assos [10] we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene [11]. We sailed from there and arrived off the coast of Chios [12] the next day. On the day following we crossed to Samos [13], and the day after that we reached Miletus [14]. For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus with the idea of spending as little time as possible in Asia. He hoped, if it should prove possible, to reach Jerusalem in time for the day of Pentecost. At Miletus he sent to Ephesus to summon the elders of the Church. On their arrival he addressed them ......

What saddened them most of all was his saying that they would never see his face gain...... When we had finally said farewell to them we set sail, running a straight course to Cos [15], and the next day we went to Rhodes [16] and from there to Patara [17]. Here we found a ship bound for Phoenicia, and we went aboard her and set sail. After sighting Cyprus [18] and leaving it on our left we sailed to Syria and put in at Tyre [19], since that was where the ship was to discharge her cargo. We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them for a week (... the disciples warn Paul not to go up to Jerusalem). ..... We sailed away from Tyre and arrived at Ptolemais [20]. We greeted the brothers there and stayed with them for just one day. On the following day we left and proceeded to Caesarea [21] and there we went to stay at the house of Philip the evangelist (... again he is warned of the dangers of returning to Jerualem). After this we made our preparations and went up to Jerusalem [22]. Map 22.

Paul Writes his First Letter to the Corinthians Map 23. Paul Writes his Second Letter to the Corinthians Map 24. Paul Writes to the Galatians Map 25. Paul Writes to the Romans Map 26. Paul's Journey under Arrest from Palestine to Rome c AD58-61 Taken from Acts 27:12 - 28:31 - ..... (two years after Paul's original arrest in Jerusalem [1] and his journey to Caesarea [2]), Paul and some other prisoners were put in charge of a centurion named Julius...... We embarked on a ship hailing from Adramyttium, bound for the Asian ports, and set sail. ..... On the following day we put in at Sidon [3], where Julius treated Paul most considerately by allowing him to visit his friends and accept their hospitality. From Sidon we put to sea again and sailed to leeward of Cyprus [4], since the wind was against us. Then, when we had crossed the gulf that lies off the coasts of Cilicia [5] and Pamphylia [6], we arrived at Myra [7] in Lycia.

There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship bound for Italy and put us aboard her. For several days we beat slowly up to windward and only just succeeded in arriving off Cnidus [8]. Then, since the wind was still blowing against us, we sailed under the lee of Crete, and rounded Cape Salmone [9]. Coasting along with difficulty we came to a place called Fair Havens [10], near which is the city of Lasea. ......... (In spite of Paul's warnings, the ship continued on its way) ...... the majority were in favour of setting sail again in the hope of reaching Phoenix [11] and wintering there. Phoenix is a harbour in Crete, facing south-west and north-west. So, when a moderate breeze sprang up, thinking they had obtained just what they wanted, they weighed anchor, and coasted along, hugging the shores of Crete. But before long a terrific gale, which they called a north-easter, swept down upon us from the land. The ship was caught by it and since she could not be brought up into the wind we had to let her fall off and run before it.

Then, running under the lee of a small island called Clauda [12], we managed with some difficulty to secure the ship's boat. After hoisting it aboard they used cables to brace the ship. To add to the difficulties they were afraid all the time of drifting on to the Syrtis banks [13], so they shortened sail and lay to, drifting. (The writer of Acts then describes the terrible storm which finally casts them up alive on the shore of Malta) .... On the fourteenth night of the storm, as we were drifting in the Adriatic [14], about midnight the sailors sensed that we were nearing land. ..... After our escape we discovered that the island was called Melita [15]. ... (Paul's stay on Malta is described) ..... ... It was no less than three months later that we set sail in an Alexandrian ship which had wintered in the island ...... We put in at Syracuse [16] and stayed there three days, and from there we tacked round to Rhegium [17]. A day later the south wind sprang up and we sailed to Puteoli [18], reaching it in only two days.

There we found some of the brothers and they begged us to stay a week with them, and so we finally came to Rome. The brothers there had heard about us and came out from the city to meet us, as far as the Market of Appius [19] and the Three Taverns [20]. .... When we reached Rome [21] Paul was given permission to live alone with the soldier who was guarding him (where he stayed for at least two years after which he was either executed or released). Map 27. Paul writes from Prison in Rome - to Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians and Philippians Map 28. Paul Writes his First Pastoral or Teaching Letter to Timothy Map 29. Paul Writes his Pastoral or Teaching Letter to Titus Map 30. Paul Writes his Second Pastoral or Teaching Letter to Timothy GENERAL LETTERS and REVELATION Only the First Letter of Peter and the Book of Revelation is included here. The Letter of James is generally believed to have been the first Letter of the New Testament to have been written, probably some time before the Council at Jerusalem.

The Letter to the Hebrews and the other General or Catholic Letters - Second Letter of Peter, First, Second, and Third Letters of John, and the Letter of Jude, although written around this time are not included. Where Hebrews, 2 Peter and Jude were written and their destinations are generally very uncertain. The three Letters of John were probably written in Ephesus probably all to addresses in the Province of Asia (see Map 31 following) Map 31. Peter Writes His First Letter, to the Christian Jews of Most of Asia Minor Galatia - Ancient History Encyclopedia Galatia by Ambiorix published on 28 April 2011 Ancient Galatia is located in the central regions of modern-day Turkey , a poor land traditionally inhabited by the Phyrgians. Later this land was controlled and inhabited by Celtic tribes some time in the 270's BCE Celtic tribes in Thrace and elsewhere were invited by Nicomedes I of Bithynia to come over into Anatolia to serve as warriors and mercenaries. The term 'Galatae' was used by the Greeks to denote these Celtic tribes. Once the Galatian tribes crossed over in Anatolia, they were soon the preeminent power in the region.

Raids upon nearby regions were soon commonplace. Livy writes, To the Trocmi the coast of the Hellespont as assigned (as raiding land); the Toistoboii received by the lot Aeolis and Ionia ; the Tectosages the interior parts of Asia. And they enacted tribute from all of Asia on this side of the Halys. And so great was the terror of their name, their numbers being so enlarged by great natural increase, that in the end even the kings of Syria did not refuse to pay them tribute. The three main tribes of Galatia were the Trocmi, Tolistoboii, and the Tectosages. All this came to an end during the 'elephant battle ' against the Seleucids. The Galatians were defeated and settled down in central Asia Minor where they would continue to periodically launch raids and campaigns into he surrounding lands. The three main tribes of Galatia were the Trocmi, Tolistoboii, and the Tectosages. The Trocmi had as their capitol the town of Tavium, but also Mithridatum, Eccobriga, and Danala. The Tectosages ruled from Ankyra.

They also had a settlement known as Pitobriga and they renamed the town of Gordium to Vindia, a place where they had a large market of trading goods. The Tolistoboii were centered around Blucium, later a fortress of King Deiotarus, and also Peium, an oppida where Deiotarus kept his massive treasury. Pessinus would later become the capitol of the Tolistoboii by 25 BCE during Roman annexation. The Teutobodiaci were a clan or sept within the Tectosages and the tribes of the Voturi, Ambituti, and Tosiopes were clans of the Tolistoboii. Remove Ads Advertisement Though little is known of the Galatians through discoveries in archaeology , the government of Galatia is known. Each tribe was split into four clans, each ruled by a tetrarch (from the Greek word tetra- meaning 'four' and arkos meaning 'chief'). These rulers were in turn supported by a chief judge, a leading general, and two deputy generals. This system held for a long time in Galatia, yet later the tetrarchs seem to have became petty kings.

300 senators held a national assembly that is thought to have been held at Drunemeton ('sacred oak sanctuary'). Despite all this the Galatians often fought among themselves and established no unified kingdom, although Ortagion, by forging alliances in the region, certainly came close to doing so. There is no mention of major problems living among the local Phyrgians nor mention of uprisings while the Galatians were away on campaign. in fact classical writers allude to their intermarrying with them. The Galatians also adopted many aspects of Greek culture. These Celts were later known as Gallogracians, those who had Phyrgian, Greek, or other local influences in their blood and or lifestyle. Livy, quoting Manlius Vulso who defeated the Galatians in two battles in 189 BCE mentioned "that some of these Gauls (Galatians) are a mixed race, truly described by their name Gallogracians." This evidence is further backed up by the inscriptions at Delphi mentioning that among the Galatians were freed slaves of areas that they had swept through. Despite this, the Galatians were known to deal in slaves.

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Question: In which modern country is the ancient Roman province of Asia?
Answer: Turkey